Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

YOU can get daily major and interesting news updates for the Liverpool City Region on our free email news service, via signing up on:- Formby Reporter. If you have any updates to send in or any views on the posts on here, please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Feeling unwell this Christmas? The NHS is here for you...

AS we all prepare for Christmas, health leaders at NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are reassuring residents that the NHS is still there for you over the festive period.

Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "Even though GP and Pharmacy opening times may vary over Christmas and the new year, NHS services and support is still available for people that need it. A lot of common illnesses and minor injuries can be treated at home with basic medicines available at your local Pharmacy or supermarket. It is a good idea to stock up your medicine cabinet with things like indigestion medicine and painkillers, such as Ibuprofen and Paracetamol, in case you need them over the Christmas period. These supplies will help you to self care and get well from the safety of your own home. If you�re not feeling well the NHS.uk website is a great resource for advice and has a complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help. Some Pharmacies in the area will also be open and are a great source of expert healthcare advice and over the counter medicines. As the restrictions change and some families form Christmas bubbles of up to 3 households, between 23 December and 27 December 2020, it is important that we don�t undo all of our hard work and we continue to follow rules and wash hands, cover our face and make space to limit the spread of the virus and protect loved ones, particularly the most vulnerable in our community. It is fantastic news that the Covid19 vaccination programme has now begun. We are currently offering the vaccine to people most at risk from Coronavirus, the vaccine will be offered more widely as soon as possible. Please do not contact the NHS to seek a vaccine, we will contact you."

Dr Terry Hankin, Medical Director at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said:- "If you are not sure what to do and need medical advice fast, call NHS:- 111 or go to the NHS 111 website. You will be assessed, given advice, and directed straightaway to the local service that can best meet your needs, including a GP if you need one. If you are in a life-threatening situation or emergency such as choking, chest pain, or having severe difficulty in breathing, call:- 999 straight away. If you do have any Coronavirus symptomsm such as a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a change or loss to your taste or smell please do self isolate and book test as soon as possible. You can book a test online or by calling 119."

To find your local health services and to check Pharmacy opening times in Southport and Formby, visit:- SouthportandFormbyCCG.NHS.UK.

Metro Mayor issues key advice for those travelling during the festive season

THE Liverpool City Region's Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, is reminding people to plan journeys in advance and follow key advice when using transport services during the festive season. Transport operators are working hard to provide services and minimise disruption in the run up to and during Christmas and New Year. Merseytravel has confirmed that it will be running its usual special network of free bus services on Christmas Day, between around 12 noon and 6pm, covering most Hospital routes. The Mersey Tunnels Tolls will also be free, as usual, between 10pm, on Christmas Eve and 6am, on Boxing Day. There are always some changes to public transport at this time of year with some services finishing earlier than usual, so travellers are being urged to plan ahead and continue to follow the Covid19 measures put in place to help keep everyone safe. It is advisable to closely consider the timings of any journey, try to avoid busier times and routes and be prepared for journeys to take longer. Booking tickets in advance especially for long distance journeys is recommended. Those travelling outside of the City Region should be mindful of the tier restrictions and guidance in place at their destination. Anyone using public transport should remember to:- wear face coverings, unless exempt, maintain social distancing and wash their hands frequently.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "This has been a very long and difficult few months, but thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of local people, we've brought our infection rates down and will be able to have a more ordinary Christmas. This year, despite the enormous budget challenges we face, we'll be continuing with our free bus services on Christmas Day, as well as making the Mersey Tunnels free to use. But we don't want to see all of the hard work and sacrifice of the past few weeks to be thrown away, so please follow the guidelines on wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing. With vaccines starting to roll out there is hope that will be back to normal in the near future. Until then, it's important to keep doing everything we can to keep people safe, ease the pressure on our NHS and save lives. Please keep following the advice and celebrate responsibly. Coronavirus is the worst present you could give somebody this Christmas."

Key advice...

Anyone who needs to travel is being asked to consider when and by what means they travel. People are being encouraged to keep cycling and walking where possible. If you need to use public transport then follow our key advice:-

► Plan ahead - social distancing means that bus and rail services have limited space.

► Face coverings - you must wear a face covering when using public transport and at all enclosed areas of transport hubs including all rail stations, ferry terminals and Merseytravel Centres, unless you are exempt.

► Leave plenty of time; you might not make the service you planned to get and may need to wait for the next 1. Don't aim for the last service home.

► Check timetables - before and on your day of travel, some services finish earlier than usual at this time of year.

► Avoid travelling at busier times and on busier routes - mornings are currently quieter.

► Buy your tickets in advance and online - especially if you are travelling long distance.

► Consider multi modal ticket - such as Saveaways as these will give you more options.

Travel Roundup...

This is the roundup of bus, train and ferry services across the Liverpool City Region over the Christmas and New Year period.

Christmas Day - Friday, 25 December 2020. - A special network of free bus services, funded by Merseytravel, will run between approximately 12 noon and 6pm, covering most Hospital routes; visit or call Customer Services on:- 0151 330 1000 for details.

► No other bus services will operate.

► No trains will operate.

► Mersey Ferries will not operate.

► The Kingsway (Wallasey) Mersey Tunnel and the Queensway (Birkenhead) Mersey Tunnel will be open throughout the holiday period.

► Both tunnels will be toll free from 10pm, on Thursday, 24 December until 6am, on Saturday, 26 December 2020.

► Bus services - Bus services may vary over the festive period. Visit:- Merseytravel.Gov.UK or Travel Updates page for latest planned changes to services.

► Rail - There will be no trains running on the Merseyrail network on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. During the festive period there will be changes to some timetables, with some services finishing earlier than usual and some services not running.

► For Wirral, Northern and City line services check:- Merseyrail.Org or NorthernRailway.Co.UK

► If you're heading out of the Region by rail check your journey plans by visiting:- NationalRail.Co.UK

► Mersey Tunnels - Kingsway and Queensway Tunnels will remain open throughout the festive period. Both tunnels will be toll free between 10pm, on Christmas Eve and 6am, on Boxing Day.

► Mersey Ferries - Mersey Ferries services will be suspended following end of service on Friday, 18 December 2020, at 7pm and will not operate over the Christmas and New Year period. Services will resume from 7.20am, on Monday, 4 January 2021, operating between Woodside and Pier Head. No sailings from Seacombe terminal which will be closed for essential works. Visit:- Merseyferries.Co.UK.

► Rethink Travel - Over the festive period Merseytravel are asking you to continuing to rethink when and by what means you travel and to please follow our advice to help keep everyone safe.

₤8m funding secured for safer walking and cycling in the Liverpool City Region

THE Liverpool City Region has been awarded almost ₤8m in new funding to make cycling and walking safer and easier. The cash boost, worth ₤7.8m, will help deliver new low traffic zones around Schools as well as more pop up cycle lane and widened footpaths in all six of City Region's local authority areas:- Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The funding comes as further research indicates strong and widespread public support for high quality schemes to create space for people to walk or ride bikes safely. According to UK wide polling recently conducted by Kantar Media, 65% support reallocating road space to cycling and walking while around 78% support measures to reduce traffic in their neighbourhood. News of further investment in walking and cycling mark yet another step forward for active travel in the Liverpool City Region, following the introduction of the 1st pop up walking and cycling lanes in the summer connecting key locations including:- Hospitals, workplaces and Town Centres.

Earlier this year Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram also announced that he would be committing more than ₤30m to the development of the 1st set of permanent routes of a planned network of more than 600km of new footpaths and cycle ways. The newly announced funding has been secured by the Combined Authority from the Government's Active Travel Fund, with work now being undertaken with local councils to plan appropriate schemes in each borough of the Liverpool City Region. As potential walking and cycling schemes are identified, the Combined Authority and councils will engage closely with local people to make sure that the new measures are put in place with the backing of residents. More information on engagement with residents and details of new schemes will be available in the coming weeks. Alongside new and improved footpaths and cycle lanes, the funding will help deliver eighteen new �School Streets' schemes, which will see temporary restrictions on traffic around Schools, at drop off and pick up times, in order to help cut emissions and encourage parents and young people to travel by bike or on foot. Evaluation of pilot School Streets projects has shown successful schemes can reduce harmful vehicle pollution outside Schools by around 75% and increase the number of children cycling to School by 50%.

1 such School Streets project is already being planned for West Derby. Headteacher of St Paul and Timothy's Infants School, Joanne Starkey, thinks the schemes have the potential to be positive for young people and the wider neighbourhood:- "We recently worked on a School Streets pilot project to design a safer route to School for the children. We worked closely with our neighbours St Paul's Junior School to make sure the project will benefit both Schools and the initiative has encouraged our pupils to think about their own local area and how it could be improved. "The whole School community is excited to see the scheme in action. We can't wait to see the improvements to the road immediately outside School and the surrounding area and the impact it will have in reducing air pollution."

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: - "Building and improving walking and cycling routes are a big part of my plans to develop a London style transport system across our City Region. I want it to be as quick, affordable and easy for people to get around. We've already announced plans to deliver 600km of new and improved walking and cycling routes over the next few years. After lobbying hard for this ₤8m of funding from Central Government, we are able to take another step forward with those plans for local routes designed around the needs of local people. When complete, they will make it much easier for people to safely travel by foot or bike and, given the increasing popularity of cycling over the past few months, will be sorely needed."

Simon O'Brien, Liverpool City Region Cycling and Walking Commissioner said:- "It's fantastic to see these additional funds being awarded to the Liverpool City Region, to really help us push forward with our plans to help people travel by bike or foot more safely and with confidence. It's also an amazing opportunity to help change the way parents and young people think about travelling to School, successful Schools Streets initiatives can help reduce reliance on cars and encourage young people to be more active. Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our City Region, but we now have the opportunity to look at how we can change things for the better. The kind of schemes that will be delivered by this funding will encourage people to get out of their cars and help to create a whole new generation of cyclists."

Sefton's 3 SMART Coronavirus testing sites for people who DON'T have Covid19 symptoms are now open

LOCATED at Aintree Racecourse, Bootle Leisure Centre and at Splash World in Southport, the test centres are new open from 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week. No appointments are necessary. Building on lessons learnt from mass testing in Liverpool, the SMART programme uses Lateral Flow Tests which provide a result in about 30 minutes. Testing to identify people who are positive but are not aware because they don't have Coronavirus symptoms will help prevent unwitting onward transmission, protecting people for whom the virus could be dangerous or fatal. It will also help contract tracing and the identification of potential infection hotspots. With 10,000 tests available to Sefton each week, the Council is encouraging those who work in frontline services, work with vulnerable residents and Schools staff to come forward for testing. People who have had a positive Coronavirus in the past 90 days should not attend. Sefton's 3 SMART testing centres have been set up and run by the military but after today, Friday, 11 December 2020, their operation will transfer to specially recruited and trained Council staff. In the future, the Council will also be looking at setting up mobile or pop-up sites. You can watch video footage of Margaret Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health, talking about SMART testing, on YouTube video, at:- YouTube.com/watch?v=Q_K3GDHtdWc.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 21,672 cases and the total number now stand at:- 1,809,445 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 424, within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 63,506, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 73,125.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 16,136. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 1,267 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 1,622.

In England, there are a total of:- 1,549,660 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 322,133 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

National UK Lockdown

Tier 2

Liverpool City Region

► Liverpool, 24,790 confirmed cases.
73

► Halton, 4,928 confirmed cases.
21

► Knowsley, 8,038 confirmed cases. 14

► Sefton, 10,837 confirmed cases..
25

► St. Helens, 7,990 confirmed case.
48

► Wirral, 10,308 confirmed cases.

31

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to100 101 over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 10,260 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 5,543 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 15,807 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 10,413 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 9,628 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 9,552 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 50,811 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 32,608 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 15,389 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 7,614 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 13,386 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 13,914 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 11,062 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 10,812 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 9,050 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 8,623 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 17,487 confirmed cases.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.8 to 1 with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -3% to -1% as of 4 December 2020.